Headware mountable optical device

ABSTRACT

A removable optical loupe that is mountable to headwear is provided. The inventive loupe is configured to clip on to the brim of a hat, or the bill of a cap or visor. Embodiments of the inventive loupe have a pivoting joint for positioning the lens of the optical loupe into and out of the line of sight when not in use. The lens of the inventive optical loupe is used for magnifying objects for inspection.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/046,590, filed 4 Oct. 2013 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,170,415 B2; thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to optical devices and inparticular to a clip on loupe that mounts to headwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A loupe is a small magnification device used to see small details moreclosely. Unlike a magnifying glass, a loupe does not have an attachedhandle, and its focusing lens(es) are contained in an opaque cylinder orcone, or fold into an enclosing housing that protects the lens(es) whennot in use. Loupes are also called hand lenses.

Loupes are used in a number of industries, notably the jewelry trade,watchmaking, photography, printing, dentistry, education andophthalmology. Loupes are also used in academia and life sciences, suchas geology and biology, as well as by hobbyists for inspecting stampsand coins. Amateur naturalists may also find a hand lens or a loupe auseful tool when looking at or identifying species.

While there are many existing loupe designs, there still exists a needfor a removable loupe that is mountable to headwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A removable optical loupe is provided that is mountable to headwear. Theinventive loupe is configured to clip on to the brim of a hat, or thebill of a cap or visor. Embodiments of the inventive loupe have apivoting joint for positioning the lens of optical loupe into and out ofthe line of sight when not in use. The lens of the inventive opticalloupe is used for magnifying objects for inspection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the inventive clip on optical louperemoveably attached to the bill of a cap according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed close up perspective view of the inventive clip onoptical loupe of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the inventive clip on opticalloupe of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4D are a series of perspective views of the clip portion of theinventive clip on optical loupe of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C are a series of perspective views of the lens holder portionof the inventive clip on optical loupe of FIG. 1 according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6C are a series of perspective views of an optical loupe with aball joint clip for moveable attachment to headwear, such as the bill ofa cap according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the optical loupe of FIGS. 6A-6Cwith the ball joint clip removed according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a sectioned view along line A-A of FIG. 6B showing the socketfor accommodating the ball joint clip and threaded hole for the setscrew that fixes the position of loupe lens according to an embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the optical loupe showing the setscrew and set key for fixing the position of the lens relative to theclip according to an embodiment of the invention;

The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of theinvention

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has utility as a removable optical device such asan optical loupe that is mountable to headwear. The inventive loupe isconfigured to clip on to the brim of a hat, or the bill of a cap orvisor, and finds particular utility as an accessory in golf and targetsports. Embodiments of the inventive loupe have a pivoting joint forpositioning the lens of optical loupe into and out of the line of sightwhen not in use. The lens of the inventive optical loupe is used formagnifying objects for inspection.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of theinventive clip on optical loupe 10 removeably attached to the bill 14 ofa cap 16 according to an embodiment of the invention. It is noted thatthe inventive clip 18 on optical loupe 10 is operative with other formsof headwear as well. A clip 18 attaches to the edge 12 of the bill 14 soas to position the optical loupe 10 in the line of sight of a user. Theclip 18 is moveably attached to a lens holder 20 via a socket likeconnection to be described further in FIGS. 3-5. Arrow 24 is used toindicate the full range of motion of the lens 22. When the lens 22 ispositioned in the up position, the lens 22 is parallel to the bill 14,and is out of the user's vision field. Conversely, when the lens 22 ispositioned in the down position, the lens 22 is perpendicular to thebill 14, and is in the user's vision field. FIG. 2 is a close up view ofFIG. 1 that illustrates the pivoting motion of the lens 22.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the inventive clip on opticalloupe 10 deployed in the downward position in the user's field ofvision. Fasteners 26, such as pins or screws attach and retain the lens22 to lens holder 20 that engages into ball socket/slot 28 of clip 18.

FIGS. 4A-4D are a series of perspective views of the clip 18 showing thefront, front side, back side, and back of the clip, respectively.Elongated slot 30 engages a hat brim or cap bill. FIGS. 5A-5C are aseries of perspective views of lens holder 20 showing the bottom side,back side, and side view of the lens holder 20, respectively. Ball joint34 extending from arm 32 mounts into slot 28 of clip 18, and allows forup and down positioning of the lens 22, as well as to swivel or rotatethe lens 22 sideways. The clip 18 and lens holder 20 may be made ofplastic, composites, wood, metals, or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 6A-6C are a series of perspective views of an optical loupe 40with a ball joint clip 44 for moveable attachment to headwear, such asthe bill of a cap according to an embodiment of the invention. The clip44 has elongated slot 46 that engages a hat brim or cap bill, as well asan arm portion 48 that terminates in a ball joint 50. As best shown inFIG. 6B, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, ball joint 50 mounts into slot 54 of lensholder 42, and allows for up and down positioning of the lens 22, aswell as to swivel or rotate the lens 22 sideways. Fasteners 26, such aspins or screws attach and retain the lens 22 to lens holder 42. The balljoint clip 44 and lens holder 42 may be made of plastic, composites,wood, metals, or combinations thereof.

As best shown in FIG. 6C, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, a set screw 52 may be usedto adjust the tension applied to the ball joint 50 mounted in the slot54 to control the ease of movement or locking the position of the lens22 relative to the clip 44. The set screw 52 mounts in threaded hole 56.The set screw 52 may be adjusted with key 58 fitted with a bit 60 thatengages the set screw 52. The bit 60 may be a hex, star, torque,Philips, or straight edge depending on the type of set screw 52.

In a specific embodiment the clip 42 may have magnetic properties forattachment to metal surfaces.

The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments ofthe invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practicethereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, areintended to define the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An optical device comprising: a clip withan elongated slot configured to engage headwear and a ball jointextending from the clip; a lens retained by a holder, said holdermovably engaged to said clip via said ball joint: and wherein said cliphas magnetic properties for attachment to metal surfaces; wherein saidholder further comprises a socket that engages said ball joint extendingfrom said clip, said socket when engaged with said ball joint allows forupward and downward positioning of said lens with respect to saidheadwear into and out of a line of sight of said user.
 2. The opticaldevice of claim 1 wherein said holder further comprises a set screw foradjustment of tension of the movable engagement between said holder andsaid ball joint.
 3. The optical device of claim 1 wherein said headwearis a hat further comprising a brim for attachment to said elongated slotof said clip, or a cap further comprising a bill for attachment to saidelongated slot of said clip.
 4. The optical device of claim 1 whereinsaid headwear is a visor further comprising a bill for attachment tosaid elongated slot of said clip.
 5. The optical device of claim 1wherein said lens is retained by said holder via a set of pins orscrews.
 6. The optical device of claim 1 wherein said clip and saidholder are made of at least one of plastic, composites, wood, or metals.7. A method for using the optical device of claim 1 comprising:attaching said optical device to a user's headwear with said clip; andpositioning said lens into the line of sight of said user.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein said headwear is a cap and said clip is engaged witha bill extending from said cap.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein saidheadwear is a visor and said clip is engaged with a bill extending fromsaid visor.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein said headwear is hat andsaid clip is engaged with a brim extending from said hat.
 11. An opticalloupe configured to clip on to headwear, said loupe comprising: a clipwith an elongated slot configured to engage said headwear, and a balljoint extending from the clip; a lens retained by a holder, said holdermovably engaged to said clip via said ball joint: and wherein said cliphas magnetic properties for attachment to metal surfaces wherein saidholder further comprises a socket that engages said ball joint extendingfrom said clip, said socket when engaged with said ball joint allows forupward and downward positioning of said lens with respect to saidheadwear into and out of a line of sight of said user.
 12. The opticalloupe of claim 11 wherein said holder further comprises a set screw foradjustment of tension of the movable engagement between said holder andsaid ball joint.
 13. The optical loupe of claim 11 wherein said headwearis a hat further comprising a brim for attachment to said elongated slotof said clip, or a cap further comprising a bill for attachment to saidelongated slot of said clip.
 14. The optical loupe of claim 11 whereinsaid headwear is a visor further comprising a bill for attachment tosaid elongated slot of said clip.
 15. The optical loupe of claim 11wherein said lens is retained by said holder via a set of pins orscrews.
 16. The optical loupe of claim 11 wherein said clip and saidholder are made of at least one of plastic, composites, wood, or metals.